Too attached to me?

[koimeteria]

Hi there, my little Andradite is a little over a year old and she is the apple of my eye. I live in a rectangular one-room apartment (with a little bathroom with a door) and a stove top. Because it's only one room I am in near constant eyesight whether Andra is in the cage or out. I'm a uni student, so most of the time I'm out, but I leave episodes of a radio drama playing while I'm gone so she won't get upset by the silence. Andra is very much a cuddly bird who craves head rubs, and she constantly flies from her cage and back to me. She'll nibble my face and feet and seems to enjoy chewing on my long fingernails. Lately she's been regurgitating when chewing on my fingernails which doesn't annoy me, but I wonder if it's normal? I know it's a sign of birdie affection, but should it be allowed? More and more recently she also gets upset when she sees I'm about to leave. Her cage is out of eyesight of the bathroom door which is near the front door, and when I go that way and she can't see me, she starts calling for me. Even if there's a friend in the room sitting in her view, she still gets upset. If she's out of her cage and I want to go into the bathroom she'll chase me in and either sit on my shoulder or the faucet while I take care of business. If I get the door closed before she can follow, she'll fly around outside screaming for me. I've noticed that when I've gone on short trips (so far no more than three days) her food appears to be almost untouched (some millet might be eaten but that's about it) when I return. This is really concerning as I don't want her to starve if I have to leave. Don't get me wrong, I'm flattered by her love and attention, I just want to make sure she's not too emotionally unstable. (I can't believe I'm writing that about a bird. -_-
Getting a second bird is out of the question for many reasons, I just want to know if there are certain things I can do to keep her from being lonely when I'm gone.

[OP]

Just to let you know some-one is reading your post. I can't answer your question, but some-one will be along who can possibly answer it for you.

[koimeteria]

OP Haha, thanks for that. I'm not expecting instant replies or anything. I like the monocle in the ID photo by the way.

[OP]

He's a proper monkey that Joey.

[skysmum]

Bless her, she is obviously bonded to you and sees you as her mate, you are her flock.
Im not sure what else to suggest when you leave her during the day as she has sound and i would imagine things to do, toys etc.
I am a little concerned that you leave her for up to three days sometimes though, do you have someone that comes in to check on her?

[koimeteria]

skysmum My housing situation is a bit complicated and there hasn't been anyone who could do it for me, but there may be someone in the near future. I always make sure she has plenty of food (which she's not really eating during those times ) and water and things to amuse herself with, but that's pretty much all I can do when I have to leave.

[Hezz]

How does she respond to having the radio or TV left on for her? TV might be better as she would have movement happening as well, not just noise. How is she with mirrors and shiny things ..... does she like to talk to other objects or only you? Are you able to spend some time when you are home giving her something to play with but not interacting with her yourself? It sounds like she needs to find ways to amuse herself, and these are the best things I can come up with, I am sorry.

[koimeteria]

Hezz I like the TV idea, but I don't actually have one. (suuuper tiny apartment) I've been using my old ipod with a broken screen (just the glass, not the display) to play stuff for her. Maybe I could start showing her movies on that while I'm gone. My little Narcissus does indeed like her mirrors, but her big one is reserved for out-of-cage play time. She has a small one in her cage though. She's pecking at a bell right now, so shiny is good for her. I interact with her a lot when I'm at home, and it's a rare day when she doesn't get let out for at least 30 minutes, usually longer. I just bought her a new toy, but she hasn't warmed up to it yet. The selection in this country is very limited in that regard, so I improvise a bit. She has two coat hangers outside her cage that she enjoys climbing on. I think I'll try the ipod/movie when I leave next, and see how that goes for her.

[koimeteria]

Hezz Ah, she doesn't really talk to objects, but she'll sing to herself. She makes a lot of different noises to me.

[Hezz]

I assume she interacts with the mirror, though, when she has it available? Something that another member found that his hen had fun with .... old CD's. Lovely and shiny, hang them up and they will swivel around when bopped, and hopefully bring a load of joy to your little girl as well. It really does sound as though she looks to you to entertain her. So look at it as finding ways she can learn to entertain herself .... does she have things to chew on and destroy? I don't know a hen who doesn't lurve to destroy things, even if it be newspaper plaited up or curled into ringlets etc. You don't have to spend a lot of money but you might just have to become inventive, creative.

[Hezz]

I have no idea what is happening ..... I am trying to write lipsume, but the forum keeps changing it .... second word is supposed to be a.s.s.u.m.e.

Marianne Marlow can you help me, here?

[Marianne Marlow]

Apologies, I was playing with the censored words feature after someone let a swear in yesterday!

Should be fixed now.. I ASSUME!

[Hezz]

Thank you!!!

[koimeteria]

Hezz Oooh, I love the CD idea! I can get one or two really cheaply and she might really enjoy that. I give her toilet paper and she -loves- to shred it. She likes it if I start the tear first, then she can continue it. She likes gazing at her own pretty self in the mirrors, but she doesn't talk to the reflection. She touches her beak to the surface and gently taps, but that's about it. Thanks for the ideas, I'm sure Andra will be grateful. She gets spooked by toys sometimes, so I have to play around a bit to find what she likes. (Regular bells for instance, she loves 'em. Jingle bells? She appears to fear them like they're the grim reaper himself)
Marianne Marlow I didn't even know there was an anti-swear feature, that's really nice to hear!

[milliej]

I have a feeling you're in the Far East? I don't know why, so no-where near me! Sorry if I'm wrong, I was just thinking of those shiny CDs, I've got a lot I put some hymns on ages ago but don't use any more as things change and get updated